And with his own back firmly against the wall after continued speculation over his future, Benitez can afford a wry smile as Liverpool dare to contemplate a 12th appearance in a European Cup quarter-final if they can survive in the San Siro on March 11.
Benitez said: "In Europe you can approach a game tactically in a different way.
"In England it is a different style of football and more difficult for the manager to influence what goes on.
"It is not as simple to influence the game with tactics in England the way it is elsewhere in Europe."